NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Former Purple Eagle
Jake Ruffolo has been named assistant coach of the Purple and White, head swim coach
Eric Bugby announced Friday morning.
"I'm pleased to welcome back Jake to the program as our assistant coach and recruiting coordinator," said Bugby. "Jake proved last year that he has what it takes to be a great coach: hardworking, ambitious, and empathetic."
Ruffolo first joined the Purple Eagles as a graduate transfer from St. Bonaventure in 2022-23. The Niagara Falls, N.Y., native helped the Purple and White earn their first top-three finish at the MAAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championships since 1997 with three top-five individual finishes, including third in the 200 fly, fourth in the 200 IM, and fifth in the 400 IM. He was also a member of the 800 and 400 free relay teams that took home first place.
"Jake left his mark on the program as a swimmer breaking team records in the 200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 butterfly as well as winning MAAC titles in the 800 free relay and 400 free relay," continued Bugby. "I think he'll leave a larger and more impactful legacy guiding the current team members to the top of the MAAC and beyond as well as finding and fostering new Purple Eagles. Jake will coach our mid-distance and IM groups."
At Bonaventure, Ruffolo was a three-time selection to Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and earned two medals at the A10 Championships, the first in 2021 as a member of the 400 free relay team that won bronze, followed by a silver in the 800 free relay in 2022.
Out of the pool, Ruffolo served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at St. Bonaventure and received the Brian Moretti Service Award as a senior at Bona.
Ruffolo was selected to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, Ind., last June, along with attending a six week internship in Greensboro, NC with the Greensboro Coliseum this past February and March.
Ruffolo has coaching experience dating back to 2014 and most recently was the head swim coach at Hickory Hill Swim and Tennis Club in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Prior to Hickory Hill, Ruffolo coached at Transit Valley Country Club from 2015-18. He also works as a lifeguard at Beaver Island State Park during the summer.
Ruffolo earned his bachelor of science in sport studies from St. Bonaventure in 2022 and is expected to complete his masters of sport management in May of 2024 from Niagara University.
